NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir State Government and sought a reply on the plea filed by the father of the eight-year-old Kathua victim, who was allegedly drugged, tortured, and gang-raped in a village temple for a week in January this year.

The Apex Court also directed the state government to provide police protection to victim's family members and the counsel representing them.

Meanwhile, senior apex court lawyer, Indira Jaising, who is appearing for the victim's father, told the apex court that, "the atmosphere is not conducive for a fair trial. The atmosphere is highly polarised."

Jaising further noted that, "state police had done a good job and it not only arrested all the accused persons on evidence but also on scientific basis."

Earlier in the day, the victim's father approached the Apex Court seeking transfer of the case outside Jammu and Kashmir.

The victim's father had approached the apex court seeking safety and security.

The alleged gangrape and murder of the eight-year-old girl, who belonged to the nomadic Muslim community, took place in the Kathua district in January. After being missing for a week, her body was found on January 17.